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Peter Reid Etc and Would "Often Give National Division This Month’S Edition Is Packed Full of Content, So Thank You to All Contributors

Peter Reid Etc and Would "Often Give National Division This Month’S Edition Is Packed Full of Content, So Thank You to All Contributors

ON THE ROAD WEST COUNTRY BLUES OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 2/4 | SEASON 2019/20

NEW TREASURER LATEST TRAVEL

"ON THE ROAD" WCB AGM REPORT

- ENOUGHIT’S GOODBYE TO IS MARCO ENOUGH - WHAT NEXT? - EDITOR'S NOTE CHAIRMAN'S WORDS

COMMITTEE 19/20 One needs to understand that am writing this piece on the Chairman - Ron Joynson morning of the Sunday after the Norwich defeat and the really miserable return home coach trip. Treasurer - John Williams We now stand in fifteenth place in the table on 14 points.A sad place Ticket Secretary - Mike Williams in a season of such high hope, choice expectation and even higher Secretary - Danni Jones transfer accumulation. Marketing - Ian Davies Thus we really need cheering up and perhaps a thoughtful reflection of Member - Jacky Mounty West Country Blues fortunes will rightfully bring us around. "CHAIRMAN RON" Editor - Craig Hunt Our season WCB membership continues to increase with our current total standing at 118. At yesterday's game we had 8 year old Tom EVERTON FC HONOURS Howard (and his dad Chris) priding us on the Goodison pitch prior to Division 1 Champions the match itself as formal Supporters' Club Representatives. 1890-91, 1914-15, 1927-28, 1931-32, 1938- Craig Hunt - Editor 39, 1962-63, 1969-70, 1984-85, 1986-87. First Division Runners-Up This follows his sister Olivia's turn a few years ago and the announcement of Tom's role on the journey prior to the game, led to the 1889/90, 1894/95, 1901/02, 1904/05, 1908/09, biggest collective cheer of the entire day.I'm not quite sure if this is a fair reflection as it may have been,the only cheer of the day. 1911/12, 1985/86 Good old Tom. FA Cup Winners ENOUGH IS ENOUGH 1906,1933,1966,1984,1995. We plan to come up to Goodison for Boxing Day's Burnley game (Thursday 26th) and please let Mike know of your attendance ASAP so that we can order our coach requirement on this Bank Holiday date and plan with Berry's accordingly / much appreciated. FACupRunners-Up - What next? - 1893, 1897, 1907, 1968, 1985, 1986, 1989, 2009 It will soon be 2020 and therefore a 50 year anniversary of our League Title of 1970, famous for our great Holy Trinity midfield of LeagueCupRunners-Up Welcome to the second edition of "On the Road" 2019/2020 season. 1976/77,1983/84 ,Alan Ball and .These three guys were amongst the greatest footballers one can imagine and are rightfully idealised as being amongst our club's all time finest performers. However those of us who were present and supporting Sadly, our season hasn’t got off to the start that we wanted with us sitting at the Second Division Runners-Up bottom, without a manager once again. Everton at that time (as was I) will well remember that the midfield was really completed by a fourth super player on the left,Johnny 1953/54 Morrissey. Let me tell you about this often forgotten hero. FA Charity Shield So what next? Which manager? 1928, 1932, 1963, 1970, 1984, 1985, 1986 Morrissey was a localised born player who struggled for a permanent place at at the time (their left winger was (shared), 1987, 1995 I honestly don’t know. All I know is we cannot continue the way we have been AlanA'Court as I recall) and he signed for Everton in 1962 whilst their then Manager, was on holiday.Shankly was apparently really upset when he got home as he had seen John's possibilities and potential. Johnny scored for us on his debut against FA Youth Cup playing and sadly, Mr Silva, had to go. 1964/65, 1983/84, 1997/98 his old club (must have been a dream) and eventually went on as a member of our title winning teams of both 1963 and 1970 and All I would like is to see our identity return and have some pride reinstalled. Our scored a penalty winner against Leeds at Old Trafford in the semifinal of our 1968 cup journey / only to lose to West Brom at FA Youth Cup Runners-Up backbone seems to have disappeared and in a league where everyone can beat Wembley in which he played too. 1960/61, 1976/77, 1982/83, 2001/02 anyone, we really need to see some fight. FA Womens' Johnny was the hardest Everton player that I've ever seen and the list includes , etc and would "often give National Division This month’s edition is packed full of content, so thank you to all contributors. the ball to his facing fullback just so that Morrissey could then tackle him so hard that the fullback never came near him again" 1997/98 (quote fromAlan Ball) a super memory to recall.A forgotten Scouser with the HolyTrinity really being a Quartet not a threesome Along with our regular sections, If you have any ideas you would like to see and any (any room on the statue for a further member pal / alright!) FA Womens' Cup story/photo submissions, please email me [email protected] 2009/10 Anyway enough of the ramblings of a 73 year old and let's look at the current team instead. I really believe that our Club FA Womens' Premier League Cup I would finally like to welcome our new members and also say hello to all of our Management will succeed in either organising improved team tactics with subsequent much better results or arranging for a change 2007/08 existing - here's hoping our season kick starts right now! of overall team management /Time will tell.Please remember that NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM "nothing but the best is good CentralLeague enough" (I know my Latin like all good kids from Wavertree do) really does mean what it says on the tin and that we will come good 1913/14, 1937/38, 1953/54, 1967/68 COYB! again, soon / no doubt about it!

LancashireSeniorCup Craig Hunt 1894, 1897, 1910, 1935, 1940, 1964 Liverpool Senior Cup Craig Hunt 1884, 1886, 1887, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1894, 1895, Editor 1896, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1904, 1906, 1908, 1910 (shared), 1911, 1912 (shared), 1914, 1919, R Joyson 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1928, 1934 (shared), 1936 (shared), 1938, 1940, 1945, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958 (shared), 1959, ISSUE 2/4 | SEASON 2019/20 Ron Joynson ISSUE 2/4 | SEASON 2019/20 1960, 1961, 1982 (shared), 1983, 1996, 2003, Chairman 2005, 2007 TICKET SECRETARY SELFIE OF THE REPORT MATCH

Hello All, A short submission from me this time as the ever increasingly complicated relationship we all have with Everton is sapping my will and energy slightly! CHRIS, BANGER & SHANE

Travel Problems reported to me have all been passed to Berry’s and since our last drama when only one driver was sent we have had a couple of great crews and the buses have been pretty smart as well! Please continue to monitor the bus list that I place on line to ensure I have notmissed you or included you when you actually have no intention of travelling.The onus is really on yourselves and not me to be asking if you are coming. CHRIS"Super"WCB GRAYSON Kevin Kieron Campbell with I do include ST holders in this as not all of you are travelling regularly with us this season. Remember to let me know now if you wish to travel with us on Boxing Day.There is a maximum of 32 seats available and to date we have something around 18/19 coming along. MatchTickets In terms of Home tickets, we are getting match tickets as required, however when I do the order I simply put a list of names in and theTicket Office picks the seats often paying little attention to detail or where seats are. LILY MAY If you are happy to purchase your own seats do so BUT tell me you are going to do so and I will allocate you a seat on the coach as required. I will not order any tickets for people not travelling on the coach. Away tickets are often hard to come by due to the requirement to meet criteria set by Everton. However, I can normally get my hands on a few spares from contacts I know and I am actually slowly beginning to build a credit history with assistance from theTicket Office for some of you to allow me to get more tickets forWCB officially. If you check your EFC accounts and see that you have credits for away games, but you have not bought a ticket, or you get an email from EFC with an Away Guide to the away fixture ground please do not be alarmed! If you fancy an away trip just let me know and I will do my very best to get you tickets.We do not run a coach to away games, you are required to make your own way to the game. PLEASE REMEMBER TO TEXT ME ALL TRAVEL AND TICKET REQUIREMENTS. LILY MAY & HARRISON COYB LILY MAY Mike Williams Match day Travel Coordinator/Ticket Secretary

GOT ANY PICS FROM THE MATCH? ISSUE 2/4 | SEASON 2019/20 Post them to our facebook page #WCBSELFIEOFTHEMATCH ISSUE 2/4 | SEASON 2019/20 MEMBER MEMBER SUBMISSIONS

Those of you unlucky enough to be on my West Country Blues text circulation list may recall my ire at SUBMISSIONS the treatment dished out to Swindon fans at their recent game at the Peninsular Stadium by the staff at Salford City, although "Stadium" is a bit of a stretch of the imagination!! I took the chance to tick off a new ground whilst the international break was on ( only 9 more grounds to go to get the set of 91) with fellow Swindon basedWest Country Blues members Chris Wesley and football journalist and global soccer trotter Alan Wilson. I will not recount and bore you with what happened here in detail ( nor do I want us facing a potential libel case!!),so I will be generous and merely suggest that they were overwhelmed by having 1,400 away fans.. seemingly the highest number they have ever had to "host". Anyway, on the way home it struck me that it was in marked contrast to the attitude of our stewards at .Yes, I know they see us every other week and we are not away fans, but they really are the unsung and invisible heroes of Everton. Think about it,if the players did not turn up ( and most haven't all season!) Siva would play the squad players ( actually that is not a bad idea) but if the stewards didn't it is not even game over, it is game does not start!! Goodison would be closed. Over the last few years I have brought my programme from the same vendor and have a laugh with him, he missed a game last season due to a family death and I asked his replacement where he was. The next game he was back and he was really touched when I told him how sorry I was to hear his bad news . As you walk into Everton One the guy who greets you on the door has a North Wales accent ( you have to come from Gogledd Cymru to recognise it), think of Huw Edwards reading the news and you have it.Upon talking to him it turns out he is from very close to my home town so I greet him with "Hello Llandulas !" and we always have a chat about the footy and the latest roadworks on the A55. I always go in the school before the game where the stewards give you a cheery welcome and are just fantastic.The chef is a Londoner who is a Chelsea fan and always has a bit of banter,but the real star of the school is Anne the diminutive steward who walks around and talks to everyone and wears hundreds of EFC badges including a WCB one I sold her last year !. She always comes up to me says "hello Ian" and gives me a hug and asks how the journey up was and I ask her how her elderly dad is.. she is a real character and a credit to the Club. Inside the ground I make my way to my seat in the Top Balcony and at the top of the escalator is stationed Paul who always shakes my hand and asks how the trip up was and how I think we will do today. He was seriously ill last season and missed a large chunk of it. His first game back I spotted him from below and started singing "we"ve got our steward back" which made all the stewards laugh in the vicinity...one still covers his ears when he sees me ! The steward closest to my seat is a girl who has more dental problems than Ken Dodd, and we always have a quick chat about her latest brush with her dentist ( please laugh,brush with her dentist,ok don" t then). She also stewards at the dark place the other side of Stanley Park and she regales me with how poor the RS ( red stewards) are and they always have to place adverts in The Echo for staff . I could go on, Chairman Ron will tell you what a nice guy Dave the chief steward in the Top Balcony is but they are all friendly. They are everywhere at the ground but we do not see them. So go on, adopt a steward, say hello and goodbye to them and stop for a minute to chat to them , make them feel appreciated because for me they are an integral part of the "Goodison Experience" and without themThe Grand Old Lady of Walton would not be so welcoming.

Ian Davies IAN DAVIES ISSUE 2/4 | SEASON 2019/20 MERCHANDISE CORNER

FOR ALL MERCHANDISE ENQUIRIES CONTACT : IAN DAVIES 07471205347

2018/19 WCB Mugs on Spurs coach. £7

THE VIEW FROM THE ISSUE 2/4 | SEASON 2019/20 CHAIRMAN’S SEAT MEMBER MEMBER SUBMISSIONS SUBMISSIONS Brighton Vs Everton 26/10 So, are journey for this trip started at 9am. On the way I did feel confident we could get something from the game and are luck away must change at some point.We arrived at a pub in Brighton just on the outskirts of the stadium so not too far. Had a breakfast a few drinks and were ready to go! Go into the ground and you could sense the tension again just like the Burnley game we all knew that we had to get something from the game. Kick off, here we go. Everton starting brightly making some good runs and passing the ball more forward you could see small gaps opening up. 15 minutes in and Gomes causes a clumsy foul on Connolly, just outside the box. I remember the wall lining up and there was a direct gap in-between Richy and Gomes. Pascal Gross steps up and smashes it in… Through that gap… Couldn’t believe it!You could just see that coming. In my eyes Pickford should have got to it but the free kick did have some force behind it. 5 minutes later,corner kick comes from Digne and Richy glances it in…This did come offWebster but it was a goal! Get in!We can have these!There Shi…………You get the drift. At this time, we were really going for it. Brighton were defending well in parts too but we could sense a second coming. 30 minutes in and Bernard goes to ground…You could see it was quite serious and the Everton fans jeering at the Brighton players to kick it out to which Everton got the ball and kicked it out.Off goes Bernard for Siggy… Second half kicks off.You could sense the feeling we were going to get a second. Playing some great forward passes and trying to find space down the flanks. Brighton did score in the 64th minute to which the ref ruled offside andVAR confirmed this to… The 72nd minute Delph and DCL come on… Bit of a head scratcher having Davies, Gomes and Delph on but here we go.2 minutes later DCL slotted it in!YES! Get the F in there…Well deserved!You could just feel the relief with the Evertonians.THANKTHE LORD! Singing away lalalalala… 78th minute Keane and Connolly go for the ball in the box… Conolly falls no pen by the ref… Hang on the games just stopped…VAR… While we wait 2 minutes everyone is just shocked as the screen comes up with penalty…At this time my Dad (Chris) is cheering on the top of his chair not realising they have actually given the penalty – He thought they hadn’t given it! Goal they score from the pen… not deserved in my eyes. So, after a few minutes the video of the penalty is on social media!Wow how is that a pen? I still stand by that it wasn’t a penalty!Awful decision to add to the long list! After the penalty we just fell apart… Brighton could sense are heads had dropped! Attack after attack. And the 94th minute they scored!! Well we scored for them. Digne trying his best to clear it as a Brighton player was waiting at the back post! How have we lost this game?You could just sense the anger… Some fans taking it out on the chairs! Rubbish! The final whistle goes… That’s it! Just couldn’t believe we actually lost that game! So, we go back to the pub to have a drink and get ourselves back… Pouring rain to match the BIGHTON VS EVERTON disappointing performance and season this has been so far. I do want to do a shout out to my Dad (Chris) with regards to going to these games! He always invites me along and always manages to get us tickets to all these games that we normally wouldn’t get tickets BY KIERON GRAYSON for!The man is a legend and thanks for taking me UTFT! ISSUE 2/4 | SEASON 2019/20 TREASURER REPORT

Treasurer’s Notes At this point of the season (after 7 of 19 home matches) theWestcountry Blues bank balance is in a healthy position going into the Christmas period. Our biggest outlay is the cost of coaches and I am happy to report that, to date, we are breaking even in this area.Where we have suffered minor shortfalls on the fares collected against the actual coach hire cost this has been largely offset by WinYour Fare Home, merchandising and your voluntary contributions on the return journey; thank you for supporting these initiatives to date - it is important that we continue to support them in the future. With this in mind it is also important that we keep Mike informed of our travel plans by coach as this enables us to ensure that we order the correct size coach for the number of people travelling thus reducing any potential losses on coach hire in the coming months. Finally, can I thank everyone who pays their coach fees through electronic bank transfer (you know who you are).This reduces the amount of cash that we manage on matchday and also makes life a lot easier for me with respect to collection of travel fares. If you have access to online banking please consider paying your coach fare by transferring the money direct to the ‘Westcountry Blues’ bank account using the following details: Sort Code:40 09 19 Account Number: 62148129.

Thank you for your support thus far;I hope you will continue to travel with us as our new manager takes us on a rollercoaster of emotions over the rest of the season. OUR NEW COYB John Williams DEFENSIVE SWEEPER ISSUE 2/4 | SEASON 2019/20 MEMBER SUBMISSIONS “People say he was one of the best players never to win an England . If you go to Bilbao he is still revered there.That is my favourite other European team,not because Howard managed it,although that is part of it,but because of the ethos of the club with its Basque-only players and the tradition that surrounds it.There is ARTICLE HIGHLIGHT FROM something about [Athletic] Bilbao and Howard was the‘Mister’ there. JACKIE & BILL “I played in Bilbao in a pre-season game with Man City and it was an honour to play there.I’ve been lucky to travel the world and meet a lot of people through football.At my first club [Bolton] was manager and was his assistant.Howard once took me to lunch withAlfredo Di Stéfano.That was quite boozy and it was warm. It was always a warm occasion with Howard. But lunch with Alfredo Di Stéfano, wow. Football has given me a lot and this team,the era that the film captures,was the pinnacle of it.I played in aWorld Cup and for a Liverpool lad from that is fantastic,but that team was the pinnacle.”

Football provided a glorious release from mass unemployment and political turmoil for the city of Liverpool in the mid-1980s,as the film captures.Reid does not recall the Everton changing room being particularly politically active but several players who emerged from it are unmistakably so today. , “the best goalkeeper in the world at that time”, says Reid, and are prominent voices on social media and the former himself last year addressed a People’sVote rally where he was scathing of Vote Leave leaders.

Peter Reid: ‘I told Boris Johnson he was a fat, lying disgrace’ I thought the referendum was corrupt. We didn’t know the facts or what we were voting for Andy HunterSat 9 Nov 2019 13.00 GMT -https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/nov/09/peter-reid-boris-johnson-everton-howard-kendall-interview “The way I look at it is there is enough in this world for everyone to be looked after,” he explains.“There are The former midfielder on champagne socialism, his toughest opponents and party time at Everton wealthy people in the world and I don’t have a problem with that. I made a few quid. Champagne socialist? There under Howard Kendall is nothing wrong with having champagne and being a socialist.I’m quite proud of it.We have enough resources to look after everyone in this country and, moreover, throughout the world.To me, looking after people is not bad politics. I can’t change it but I can voice an opinion on it and the people who can change it have not done a good The air turns royally blue inside Peter Reid’s home while Boris Johnson is on TV for prime minister’s questions. job. The old Evertonian silences the Old Etonian – a feat he once achieved with a splenetic put-down rather than a mute button – and messagesAdrian Heath about the Minnesota United coach’s impending visit from the United “I thought the referendum was corrupt. I voted remain and even now we are still discovering what it involves. States.Everton’s title-winning team of 1984-85 are being reunited on Monday at a special presentation of a film about their successes under Howard Kendall. Reid’s mood – and his language – is transformed by the thought of A referendum is democracy, yes, but we didn’t know the facts or what we were voting for.Anyone who says they catching up with old friends and toasting an absent one. did is a liar or Einstein and I don’t see many Einsteins out there. withAlfredo Di Stéfano,wow.Football has given me a lot and this team,the era that the film captures,was the “Carole Cadwalladr [theObserver andGuardian journalist] has got into Cambridge Analytica, Facebook and the pinnacle of it.I played in aWorld Cup and for a Liverpool lad from Huyton that is fantastic,but that team was the financing of it from [US billionaire Robert] Mercer to [Steve] Bannon.She is a hero of mine.I’d love to meet her. pinnacle.” There’s a certain Mr [Arron] Banks who is trying to sue her and I hope she has her day in court.I’ve given a few quid to her fundraising page and will continue to do so.She is telling the truth.” “It’s a word that doesn’t come out among players but it is a love,” says Reid of his formerEverton teammates. “That is a nice part of it.There is a love there and you cannot beat love.Even now when we meet up it is Reid’s contempt for Johnson runs much deeper than Brexit.Their paths crossed in 2006 when Reid managed an something I look forward to and it was a long,long time ago.But it is still there.We all met in the Hilton before England Legends team in a charity match at Reading that somehow included the future prime minister. Johnson Howard’s funeral and it was emotional. But it was also warm. I was speaking at the funeral so I said I wouldn’t was editor of theSpectator when it ran the notorious“Bigley’s fate” article that accused Liverpudlians of w The drink.Andy Gray insisted the gaffer would want me to, so of course I did. People go on about the party time but former Manchester City and Sunderland manager recalls:“He’d had a go at my city, certain individuals and football we were dedicated professionals. Nothing got in the way of the games but when we partied, we partied.” fans,so I told him in no uncertain terms what I thought of him.”And that was?“I told him he was a fat,lying twat and a disgrace for what he wrote about my city. Cowardly, he shit himself. He didn’t write it, he sanctioned the Everton had regular cause to celebrate from 1984-87 as two league titles,the FA Cup and the European Cup piece by [Simon] Heffer,but that was the only part I got wrong.The man is a proven liar and he has refused to Winners’ Cup made their way to Goodison Park.The dramatic rise of Kendall’s young team, one that was in the apologise in the House of Commons when various MPs have asked him to.” doldrums and prompting calls for the manager’s dismissal months before reaching the League and FA Cup finals, is covered inHoward’s Way,a captivating film by Rob Sloman.The music and politics of the era feature heavily Today Reid is technical director at Wigan Athletic. He admits missing day-to-day management but notes:“I’m glad (including the Everton squad singing HereWe Go onWogan ) but it is the bond between the club’s most to be involved. I’m just helping Paul Cook, who is a very good coach and manager. It is a really good club. Joe successful manager and those who played or worked for him that lies at the heart of the film.The former Royle is football director and his son [Darren] is chairman.We’ve got some good young players.We had Reece Everton player, coach and manager Colin Harvey’s reflection on the sudden death of Kendall in 2015 is a deeply James on loan from Chelsea last season, an outstanding footballer. He will play for England.We’ve got some good moving moment. young footballers at the club.I don’t want to put pressure on the lads by naming them but we have a few in the Reid, the PFA Player of theYear in 1985, recalls:“One of my best moments in football was seeing Howard’s smile ranks.” as I came down the steps atWembley with my FA Cup winner’s medal [in 1984].It was the best smile and one of It is 30 years since Reid made the last of his 235 appearances for Everton but his passion for the club remains my abiding memories in football. Five months earlier cushions were getting thrown on the pitch at Goodison fierce. It explains why his grandson, Freddie Gilbert, is an Evertonian despite the nine-year-old’s dad supporting Park. Five months. I think he is revered in football history. His achievements as a manager are up there. Manchester United and why photographs from the 1980s decorate one room in the family home.There is also a print of Reid as a young Bolton midfielder challenging in his Fulham days. “The best player I’ve seen or played against,” he says of Best.“I liked playing against Robson,Wilkins, Hoddle, Souness and . Outstanding footballers.Was it hard to play against them?Yes. Did I enjoy it? Some of the time.But it was great and I would give everything to be able to play against them lads again.”

As for Everton’s current malaise, Reid says:“It is a struggle. I wasat the Man City game recently and some people were clapping.We got beat 3-1. Standards have slipped. Manchester City are an

It is a fact, and I want us to improve.We have to improve.The FA Cup we won in ’84 was the catalyst for us.We need some silverware.I would settle for a League Cup or FA Cup at this moment in time.We are not going to win the league but winning a cup might get us on that journey.We can get back to where we were.I wouldn’t live if I didn’t think it was possible. “But you need a desire and a belief. Forget about it if you haven’t. Good players have to have that. If you’re in a team and the fans expect you to win,then you’re at a good football club.There is nothing wrong with expectation.Is it a heavy load? No.You should want that yourself. “The modern game is different and the players are all wealthy boys.There is nothing wrong with that. It is more corporate now and the game is big business, big brands all over the world, but it still all comes down to winning football matches.These lads have to win them and show desire. I want to see more. I’ve played for and managed big clubs and Everton is the only place to be.Goodison is going to go but it will still be Everton football club and there will still be the desire to win things.If the new stadium is 50,000 or 60,000 it will be full because there is expectation, desire, hope and passion about Everton.You can never lose that.” Everton’s mediocrity in 2019 will be temporarily forgotten when Reid, Southall, and the rest of Kendall’s celebrated team gather at St George’s Hall in Liverpool for one more party.“If there was one word to describe Howard it would be class,” Reid considers.“And really it ends there.” Everton: Howard’s Way, by Rob Sloman, is now on at FACT Liverpool cinema and is released on all home entertainment formats from Monday. MEMBER MEMBER SUBMISSIONS SUBMISSIONS Burnley vs Everton – 05/10/2019 So,the journey for Burnley began at 10am being picked up by Banger at junction 13 – it started quite funny actually because Chris forgot to add the driver to the 6 of us that were going so good old Shane jumped in the boot… Committed FGR fan ready to watch the mighty blues… The journey was good and the roads were clear and we managed to get to Burnley without stopping – I think Banger has a bladder made out of steel.We got parked up at a cricket ground which is just opposite the ground and there was (as always) a great turn out from the Evertonians and the prices from the bar were very good. We make our way to the ground feeling quite optimistic and the feeling we would get a result here especially after the 5-1 drumming we gave them last time. So, we kicked off and the early start looked quite promising and some good passes on the flank where been made.After the 20-minute mark the dreaded sideway passes were starting to kick in, I couldn’t really blame them as no-one was making the run forwards and in all honestly Ben Mee was everywhere. The long balls started to happen and DCL was always trying to bring down the ball but at least 2 Burnley defenders were on his case. You could see in the second half the players just seemed to be out of ideas trying to break Burnley down and getting no joy. Playing the short balls at goal kicks Woods and Barnes were a constant threat putting Mina and Keane under pressure and making our defenders make mistakes. 56 minutes in and Coleman makes a silly challenge which causes him to be sent off and we are down to 10. Not great.At this point Burnley were sensing that we were there for the taking. Here they come with their long balls looking forWoods to knock it down and for one of their players to latch on to it.At this time Mina/Keane were defending well. So,we got into the 72nd minute and Burnley score from a corner! Hendrick at the back post not being marked whacks it’s in. Zonal bloody marking strikes again!! Having no-one at the back post is awfully shocking and it’s another goal from a set piece! As always, the fans got behind the team and we did have our chances but we just couldn’t take them. Final whistle goes and you could just feel the frustration from the fans… What an utter crap game that was. Most players walked straight off the pitch… Marco did come over but not to close and as you can imagine the language towards him was quite colourful.This was just not good enough especially the players we have, something is just missing and for me its leadership. The team just seems to have no leaders and for someone to direct them. We make our way back to the cricket ground have a drink and head back to the car – (Go on Shane back in the boot lad).Just before we left Ian mentioned Richy was in the car behind us not looking to happy at all,Ian did try to speak to him but he was not winding his window down for no-one. So off we popped again back down to Wiltshire thinking how bad that game Burnley vs Everton – 05/10/2019 was. Not great and this team needs to get a grip and quick. BY KIERON GRAYSON ISSUE 2/4 | SEASON 2019/20

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